The Art of the Interview

1. The Art of the Interview Val Richardson, M.A. Palmetto Health-Workforce Development

2. The First Impressions • How do you look? • What does your body language say? • How do you sound? • How well do communicate (listen)?

3. How do you look? • Dress conservatively to communicate a professional image • Select clothing that is appropriate for the work setting. • Hairstyle should be neat, but not extreme • Use deodorant, but avoid heavy perfumes and colognes • Save flashy jewelry and accessories for the weekend

4. Body Language • Greet the interviewer with firm handshake and smile • Use good posture while sitting or standing • Maintain good eye contact, but don’t stare • Be careful to avoid fidgeting, leg bouncing, pen tapping, etc.

5. How do you sound? • What you say and how you say it is vitally important. • Avoid “um” or “you know” • Pause if you need to think about what to say next…silence is OK. • Allow the interviewer to initiate the next interchange.

6. How well do you communicate? • Listen carefully before you answer. • If you don’t understand the question, ask the interviewer to explain it. • Use active listening techniques such as restatement.

7. Getting Ready for the Interview • The interviewer will judge you based on your appearance, your communication skills, your job skills, your professional goals and more. • Prepare yourself the night before the interview. • Make sure your clothing is clean, wrinkle-free, and fits properly. • Complete the application, resume, and other appropriate documents thoroughly. • Place interview documents, directions, and appointment information together for easy access before you leave for the interview.

8. Getting Ready Continued • Get enough rest before the interview. • Eat at least two hours before the interview. • Rehearse your responses, if necessary. • Look good, smell good, speak well with confidence…smile.

9. Types of Interviews • Screening Interview- short, determines if the candidate has basic skills and knowledge of the job • One-on-One Interview- interviewee and only one hiring representative • Panel interview- interviewee and a panel or a team of staff members

10. Questions often asked during the interview • Tell me about yourself? • Do you have any work experience related to this job? • Tell me about a time you worked in a team environment. • Tell me about your most recent work experience. • Tell me about a time when you made a mistake and how did you handle it.

11. Questions Continued • Tell me why you consider yourself a responsible person? • If I called you previous supervisor, what would they say about you? • Tell me about a time when you worked with a difficult person. • Why should I hire you for this position? • Can you provide examples of your accomplishments or major contributions you made?

12. Questions you may ask? • Why is this position open? • What are the initial day-to-day responsibilities of this job? • What is the most challenging aspect of this job? • What is the management structure of this department? • What career paths are available? • In your opinion what type of person is most successful in this company? Adapted from Building Your Career Piece by Piece

13. Closing the Interview Process • Make sure you have asked and/or clarified all questions regarding the position and the interview process. • Thank the interviewer for their time and interest in you and request a business card. • Send a thank you note.

14. Common reason for rejection • Lack of goals • Lack of appropriate job skills • Lack of enthusiasm or interest in the job/business • Inability to communicate well • Poor personal appearance • Lack of credible references • Lying on the application

15. Reasons Continued • Unrealistic salary demands • Inability to clear health screening • Inability to clear background investigation